Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

First thing first- this game chugs on most machines like you wouldn't believe. We're talking Rambo pulling an army helicopter on a chain- it would obviously still go (hey it's Rambo) but it would really slow...

That being said; the story, the art, the style, the fighting and the gameplay are all superb. The game has multiple endings and several different ways to complete the game.

You start off choosing a race, much like an MMORPG. Race affects your starting abilities, as well as how you play the game. Some races are good with firearms and fist fighting, some are stealthy, some wield magic very well, and others have a silver tongue for smooth diplomacy. And, I don't mean the boring diplomacy where you roll a dice and hope your saving throw works- I mean a choose what to say in a dialogue based on your playing style and charisma and affect how the NPCs respond.

Because there are different playing styles and a horde of abilities, one can redo missions over and over with different results each time. However, that isn't so far as to say that each outcome is different. Let's face it, there are a hundred ways to skin a cat, but each time you are left with a sticky pile of fur.

The game is dark and yet romantic, stylized at it's very core. Sometimes it feels more like a Detective NOIR or a mob story then a typical Vampire.

Vampire: The Masquerade II: Bloodlines is really 50% First Person Shooter, 50% RPG, and 10% Adventure. Yes, the developer's gave this game 110% of effort. XD

I played this game straight through the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. When the credits rolled 'Boyarski...Anderson...Caine', my jaw dropped on the ground. My memory is pretty crappy for most things but it didn't miss a beat summoning up the reference; "Those are the creators of the original Fallout" - another excellent RPG series from a time before.

It's a shame that, at the time, 'Vampire' culture had its own following with a definite image problem. Ironically, the game itself makes fun of this 'culture' on the in-game radio show called 'The Deb of Night'. In 2004 Doom 3 was out...Half life 2 was a big hit. Fashioning a game of this amazing calibre under the wrappings of a known live-action RPG and culture of sorts limited the appeal to those beyond. Metaphorically; they put a gold bar in a plain brown wrapper. I didn't find out about it until recently when the raves of greatness came from the voices hovering around the discount bin at Steam. A 7 year old game and I'm playing (and enjoying it) more than Deus Ex - Human Revolution - though that's a pretty good game in itself.

The only reason I gave it a 9 instead of a 10, it's because of the bugs and how the ending part is obviously unfinished work, this is one of the best, if not the best RPG that I've played as a video game. Unfortunately didn't have enough time to be developed and it wasn't popular enough to save the company that made it so they went out without even making patches. If RPGs took this game as a model we could have much more quality games on the market.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best games I have ever played. The plot line is engaging and fast-paced, the sub-quests are fun, the character development is superior to that of most novels, the graphics are great, the dialogue is better than most of what comes out of Hollywood. This game is addictive. The entire game changes depending upon what choices you make, from the smallest to the largest. You can play through the game over and over without being bored, and you discover little tidbits every time you do so.

It was developed by Troika, probably best known for Arcanum, RPG of the Year recently. This development house is top-notch, refusing to settle for inferior product in any aspect. They really outdid themselves this time. Yes, all their games have bugs... a small price to pay, and most are fixed through patches.

The game changes depending upon which of the seven Clans you choose, and even whether or not you are male or female. You can develop your character into a smooth-talker, and finesse your way past obstacles... or, become stealthy and sneak around them... or, make yourself into a weapon and plow through them.

Thus far, I have played through the game four times and I have not become bored yet. This game is the best of 2004, in my opinion.

I can not recommend it highly enough.

Edited-- Make sure to download the official patch! It fixes some of the minor graphical glitches. Also, there's a TON of fan support for this game. I believe they're up to patch 3.3 now.

The first time I HEARD of Vampire the Masquerade:Bloodlines was while searching for a new game to play after Neverwinter Nights 2. I watched Gopher's Let's play of Vampire the Masquerade:Bloodlines and after seeing the first (2) episodes, I stopped watching because I said I HAVE TO PLAY THIS!

This game has the most creative NPC (Non Player Characters) that interact with you an a way that is authentic, organic and very creative. The back story and Lore of World of Darkness by White Wolf in which Vampire the Masquerade:Bloodlines takes place in is one of treachery, plots within plots and the never-ending hunger (Called "The Beast") to feed on blood.

You have different choices that you can make, which have a DIRECT impact on your progression and interactions in the game.

You have the choice of playing from one of (8) clans as a Male or Female and each clan has their own individual powers, motivations, horrors and quests.

I started of playing the INCREDIBLE Clan Malkavian and had NUMEROUS humorous moments from the confusion on the individual faces because of the insanity that runs in this clans and their dialog choices.

I cannot recommend this game enough to anyone that's wants to experience a TRULY unique RPG video game.

Be sure to obtain and install the Official patch, found here: http://planet-vampire.net2

and then the Unofficial Patch, found here: http://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch

and Enjoy!!